The Baltimore Ravens will have plenty of things to decipher as they hit training camp. One of the big things will be who is starting at certain positions. The Ravens are a team that will let competition sort things out, so while things may be set for now, they can change aggressively in the coming weeks, especially when the pads come on.
What are three positions where the Baltimore Ravens could see someone win a starting spot this summer?
3. Who will start at left guard for the Baltimore Ravens?
The Baltimore Ravens have announced that the starting left guard job will be a competition. They also prepared us in OTAs that it may be Sala Aumavae-Laulu who wins the starting job. He is a rookie who was drafted late on day three, so winning a starting job is impressive, especially considering he is in the mix this early.
However, that may speak to Ben Cleveland if anything. The team has been looking for Cleveland to take that step and become a better player, but it is just not happening the way that they want. So far, you could argue he is the third-string left guard and the least likely to start.
Typically, Aumavae-Laulu will be lined up with the starters, and John Simpson is the backup on the left side, with Cleveland on the right side. The fact that Cleveland is not even working on that side with the second team, and Simpson is getting that work tells you everything you need to know.
Still, between SAL, Simpson, and Cleveland, you could see performances over the next six weeks sway who starts and who sits.
2. What is the Baltimore Ravens plan for the slot?
The Baltimore Ravens need to make up a plan in the slot this season. They have multiple options and different paths to find the right person for them. First, they have Pepe Williams, Arthur Maulet, and Ar'Darius Washington competing for the spot.
Williams is probably the leader, but he just came off the PUP this week. Maulet was signed because Williams could not play, and he has had chances to start in the slot so far. Then, there is Washington, who is a UDFA in his third NFL season. He has not made the jump yet.
Still, even if the Ravens do not want a traditional slot, they can mix in some of their safeties. Kyle Hamilton did that last season and was the primary slot. Even though he starts at safety, do they add a third safety and mix Hamilton into the box? Is Brandon Stephens the third safety, and does he get a serious look at slot snaps?
We already named five potential guys, and none of them included outside players like Jalyn Armour-Davis, Kyu Blu Kelly, or Daryl Worley shifting inside. There is even a chance that those three stay outside, and Marlon Humphrey shifts inside.
They have so many choices and paths that could get them a starter, but they have not decided what is going to get them there yet.
1. Who will the Baltimore Ravens start at nose tackle?
This position battle is flying under the radar. That is probably because it does not really matter who starts at nose tackle at the end of the day. The Ravens will probably split the work between Travis Jones and Michael Pierce, and the split will be close to even by the end of the season if both of them stay healthy.
Still, there has to be one that they prefer and one that they start. Who plays the money-downs next to Justin Madubuike and Broderick Washington? There are cases to be made for both.
Travis Jones is a third-round pick entering his second NFL season. It is time for him to take that step and become a starter. Michael Pierce is older, but he has great experience, and his tape is good. Of course, that is when he is on the field.
He sat out in 2020 and then has only played in about ten games combined in the two years since then. Without playing a full season in the past three years, it is hard to trust him to start. However, if Jones does not progress, the Ravens will have to lean that way.
The coming days and weeks will be deciding the Baltimore Ravens starting nose tackle. It will not be the end of the world for the loser, but it could matter.